Before anyone plays anything that has the commitment level that an MMORPG has, one should at least check out the things it has to offer. Such a thing was done with Shaiya and here are my initial thoughts on the game.

These are all preplay thoughts and based strictly on what information can be obtained about the game. This should be noted

One of the first things smart people will notice is that if they check out any gameplay vids is that this, like so many, are trying to be WoW without being WoW. I feel this was done poorly as it looks exactly like WoW. Though that is not a bad thing and from past experience such an interface works very well, it's still a bit "been there done that".

The second thing that would be noticed is that the game is very stylized and puts a bit of emphasis on how cool skills look. This is a great thing, especially sense these skills will be used over and over again. You want something flashy that'll keep people amused while they repeat the same behaviors for months on end.

But the real thing that will catch most of you and trick your brain into play this is that there is balance with counterbalance and still imbalance. Now, this makes ZERO sense when I say it like that but let me explain.

The world is broken into two sides, a "light" and a "dark". This is more a Eastside vs Westside type of deal then having to do with anything involving actual good vs evil. Each side has two races which work similar to the other two races but, at the same time, do not. One side is magic based, using more MP then SP while the other is flipped. Both sides have the exact same classes, from mage to healer to assassin and ranger, to tank and puller... they are all there. What does change things isn't how they play but more in how they seem to play. (Remember these are all preplay thoughts).

FINALLY, I just want to post the games trailor. A note that this isn't actual gameplay but more a showcase of how the classes, races and two sides play part.

Shaiya Theatrical Trailer

There is also a very interesting story behind how/why the world is in two pieces but it's not very important unless you are one for actually Roleplaying while playing an MMORPG.

There has actually been the intended post on this subject for sometime, as their concept of a huge online community stretched over many free games is an amusement in itself. Area Games was and is, as far as I'm concerned, the best place for Free To Play MMO games. There are multiple options with Dream of Mirror Online being one of it's first "real successes", at least from what I am aware of.

The community consists of sixteen different MMOs which, together, is enough to keep anyone involved in at least one of the said sixteen. They are mostly very "WoW like" but that doesn't stop them from being any good.

There will be a personal delve into one that was suggested by Sandy, a reader of Solve Unamusements. This game being one that has been running sense 2007 and now has a good amount of players to not be over crowded and annoying and not be naked. That game being Shaiya.

A few of the next blog posts will be covering this game from the first impressions to the first few hours of gameplay and then later on, perhaps a break to allow my own time with the game and other blog posts to commence.

One final note on what keeps the games free to play is their "system". If it is wished people may pay for individual perks, items, etc. It's nothing great and doesn't usually alter things to much but provides a nice steady income that allows the developers to still technically offer a free MMO to be played.

What, you were expecting something more? Or perhaps you aren't in the US? Okay, then I'll get you something because you and me are friends. The rest of you, go eat your food and get fat like good little Americans. I'm not even hear, I'm doing that. Getting fat and happy like a good American should.

Right, other people want something now. How about something still thanksgiving related? So everyone loves Thanksgiving, except for the turkey.

This has been stuck in my head for awhile, off and on, so I decided to jump it's ship and "assumed post date" for now. It's a nice techno song some of you might enjoy.

Said he was man
What did he know?
Spent his time living in a casino
Never know
Couldn't get away, couldn't ever get it anyway
Couldn't ever level 'cause he's living like a devil
Hey you ugly people
I want you to set my baby free
Hey people
Set my baby free
Came upon a man
In tune with his libido
Took another's wife
To help him get to sleep
Couldn't get away, couldn't ever get it anyway
Couldn't ever level cause he's living like a devil
Hey you ugly people
I want you to set my baby free

Set my Baby Free by Ian Brown

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, lets see what special thing I come up for that day, shall we?

Rather, start your own. Find something interesting and start snatching these things up for no other reason just to have more of them. Collecting, no matter what it might be, is a great hobby and time waster. Personally, I've gone through several renditions myself.

At one point it was Pokemon, another Yu-Gi-Oh and then it was clocks. Yes, clocks. At a certain time in my life there was a hyper infatuation with time and the need to keep it. However, now I've lost that urge. Not just for clocks but for collecting.

Or so I had thought....

It wasn't but a few minutes ago that I realized I'm still collecting. Now, however, I'm collecting worthless internet stuff and slamming it against this thing called a "blog". How horribly awesome is that!?

This final one from Ugly Overload is a bit "iffy" in my honest opinion. This is a chameleon that can change it's colors to that of neon shades and even outright black.

While I am not a biologist and do not know the inner workings of this creature I still wish to scream "shenanigans" as the video continues and continues to play. Either way, it's amusing with it's music and topic of choice. If a real chameleon then that is very cool and I'd think rare. If it is altered then that is still cool because it was well done.

Uber Chameleon

HD video

I suppose it is now up to the rest of you. Is this a load of bologna or a really cool trick taught to a well liked lizard with a lightning quick tongue? My vote is going to be the former but mostly because I'm a "glass half empty" kind of guy.

This is another from Ugly Overload that needed to be shared. The original poster said it best "One more reason to not be an insect" but this is beyond awesome and deserves to be pasted about and shared.

The fungus is species specific and only targets one type of insect, which is a bit odd. It does, according to the video, keep things balanced in the ecosystem but still seems very weird. This is similar to the Zombie Cockroach but more along the lines of more brutal. Which is worse, though? Being completly aware but unable to do anything (Insects in video here) or being killed only to not be exactly dead?

Disclaimer

Any audio, video or images on this site have no direct claim to them, unless stated otherwise, by the writer of this blog. The author or link to source object is always available if you need proof as such if it was not provided in the blog post that it was spoken about.